It's free money - however you look at it. Any government backing secures decades of contributions. Payments are often matched by an employer as a benefit. Contributions are pre-tax, thus saving real money. It's locked away, which means you can't spend it!

Not getting a pension, of some kind, seems way riskier than living only with money in the immediate.

As always, the trick is:

1. Compound interest 2. Long-term 3. Diversify investments 4. Maintain control and awareness 5. Compound interest

It's a compound sandwich.